McIntosh deputies suspended after chase, suspect identified

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MCINTOSH COUNTY, GA (WTOC) - Three of the four deputies involved in a motorcycle chase on I-95 Saturday have been discplined.

One of them, a sergeant, was demoted to deputy and suspended for six days without pay. The other two were suspended three days without pay.

Sheriff Steve Jessup was out of town Tuesday but released a written statement explaining the actions.

"The department's written standard operating procedures for hot pursuit were not followed. I repeat NOT followed. We totaled four police cars as a direct result of not following instructions," Jessup stated.

Chief Deputy William Jennings said the procedure called for deputies to defer to Liberty County deputies who started the chase when the motorcycle left Fort Stewart. In addition, the procedure limits deputies to two (2) cars in a chase.

The chase started on Fort Stewart then went through Liberty County to I-95, then south into McIntosh County toward Darien.

Just past exit 49, the deputies wrecked on a bridge in the construction zone in what was described as a chain reaction. See Deputies crash 4 patrol cars in I-95 chase.

On Tuesday, Fort Stewart officials identified the suspected motorcycle driver as Spc. James J. Williams who is assigned to the 3rd Sustainment Brigade of the 3rd Infantry Division.

Army officials say Williams is an electronics technician and has been assigned to that unit since 2008 and deployed with that unit from August 2008 to January 2009.

"The incredibly unsafe acts by this motorcyclists are unnacceptable," stated Major General Tony Cucolo, the 3rd Infantry's Division Commander. "It casts dirt on everyone else who's riding their motorcycle safely and appropriately.

General Cucolo also stated Fort Stewart has one of the most proactive motorcycle safety programs in the nation. He added he had instructed unit commanders to remind soldiers of the need for safe and responsible driving and how an isolated case like this can change perceptions of the Army.

McIntosh County investigators expected Williams to be handed over by military investigators Tuesday afternoon to face felony charges of obstruction, criminal damage to property, interference with government property and fleeing and attempting to alude.